T. Nagar is not the city’s only shopping hub. Chennai is home to at least half a dozen other commercial zones that attract hundreds of shoppers every day. But these shopping areas are far from people-friendly. Traffic regulations and parking facilities are still a far cry in these areas.
Among the city’s popular shopping destinations are Purasawalkam, George Town, Old Washermanpet and Luz Corner. Textiles, jewellery, fruits and vegetables — these shopping hubs have this and more to offer. They have their own patrons as well as their own cup of woes.
Traffic congestion, haphazard parking of vehicles and encroachments on footpath plague the areas.
Crowds pour in throughout the week at Purasawalkam, one of the busiest shopping hubs in central Chennai. The numbers swell during weekends and festive seasons, making walking a nightmarish experience.
Jostle for space
“It is a jostle for space. Many shops have extended themselves onto the footpaths, leaving very little space for pedestrians. At some places, two-wheelers are parked on the pavements, and occupy the roadsides. Walking becomes next to impossible,” said Saranya, who regularly shops at Purasawalkam.
With no proper earmarked spaces for parking, two-wheelers are parked on almost all interior lanes, in and around Purasawalkam.
S. Nagabhushanam, president of Purasai Vyabarigal Sangam, said repeated representations to the traffic police and Chennai Corporation to improve traffic flow and parking facilities have fetched no results. “They regulate traffic for a week only during festive seasons. If traffic is regulated two hours every evening, it would solve more than half the problems caused by congestion,” he said.
George Town has plenty to offer. Gunasekar, joint secretary of Madras Jewellers’ and Diamond Merchants’ Association, pointed out how each street in George Town is popular for a specific product. Godown Street for textiles, Govindappa Naicken Street for electric shops, Narayana Mudali Street for plastics and domestic ware, Mint Street for stainless steel, N.S.C. Bose Road for jewellery shops.
“But these areas are heavily congested and have no parking space. The police regulated loading and unloading by giving designated time in Veerappan Street and Kasi Chetty Street, and we can now walk on these two streets. The same should be done throughout George Town,” he said.
In Parrys Corner, two-wheelers are parked on footpaths, while roadside parking eats into Rattan Bazaar and Evening Bazaar.
Surendar Vyas, president of the Madras Electric Trades Association and president of Federation of Madras Merchants and Manufacturers Association said traffic congestion extended from Walltax Road to Second Line Beach Road.
“People find it difficult to walk on almost all streets due to unauthorised parking and lack of traffic regulation. The problem persists on all working days. It turns chaotic from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day,” he said, adding that government-owned property in George Town could be developed into a multi-layer parking facility.
A few kilometers away from Parrys is the Old Washermanpet market on M.C. Road. The entire stretch is dotted with shops selling garments, accessories and even fruits and vegetables. However, shoppers complain of lack of parking space and toilets.
“In 2011, over 133 hawkers were removed from the road and accommodated on six grounds of land on the same road. However, over 1,000 other vendors set up shop on the road after this and the congestion increased,” said A. Mari of Chennai Corporation M.C. Road Vaniga Valagam, Sirukadai Vyabarigal Sangam.
However, these new vendors have also got biometric cards from the vending committee formed by the civic body. “We will be allotted a separate space to set up shops and then we will leave the road,” said a vendor.
North Mada Street and Luz Corner in Mylapore have been shopping hubs for the local residents for close to 40 years now. There are over 100 shops on both these markets put together.
A holistic policy
“Parking management is poor in North Mada Street too. The road is occupied by vehicles belonging to bigger shops and hotels. Autorickshaws occupy the remaining space. The footpaths are battered. There is hardly any space for pedestrians,” said Mohammed Ali, a shopkeeper.
Shahul Hameed from Luz market said parking was comparatively better in the area. “But for the share-autos that block the space meant for parking, there is no issue here. Our shopowners’ association has ensured that there is enough space on the pavement for people to walk,” he claimed.
A senior police officer said the Chennai Traffic Police was planning a holistic parking policy. “The Chennai Corporation already has smart-parking management, and we will see how we can integrate,” he said